Minnesota Football: Mike Sherels Promoted to Linebackers Coach for Gopher Football

Rarely does Jerry Kill have turnover on his coaching staff, and he didn't take long to fill a vacancy as he has promoted Mike Sherels to be the new linebackers coach.

Sherels joined Coach Kill's staff in early 2011 as an intern, and by last season had worked his way up to a defensive graduate assistant. Hailing from Rochester, MN where he attended John Marshall high school, Sherels' work ethic has obviously impressed Coach Kill, which should come as now surprise. As a player Sherels did not receive a D-1 scholarship but was determined to play for the Gophers, and boy did he, playing at The U from 2004-07 where he started 30 games, and is the only walk-on in program history to be named a two-time captain.

Sherels replaces Bill Miller, who was the linebackers and associate head coach under Jerry Kill since 2011. Last week Miller left Minnesota to take the same position with the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles.

For more on Sherels, the Minnesota Daily has a great story on him from May of 2012 by Andrew Krammer (now of 1500ESPN) on his transition from player to coach.